Arkansas Razorbacks' Midseason Report Card

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Here we are at the halfway point of the 2009 regular season for the Arkansas Razorbacks with the team standing at 3-3.

How do the Hogs stack up by position and how will things look in the second half of the regular season?

Receivers: A-

The main reason this is not an "A" is the injury problems that have plagued the receiver corps and caused a revolving door with guys coming and going throughout the early part of the Hogs' 2009 campaign.

Just as London Crawford and Lucas Miller came back from broken collarbones, Joe Adams went out with a mild stroke. If all of the receivers are ever together this season, the Hogs have the best group, not only in the SEC, but in the nation. 

I would like to see more balls thrown D.J. Williams' way, but defenses are determined not to let #45 beat them. In the absence of receptions, D.J. has greatly improved his blocking in 2009. All of these guys block well as evidenced by Jarius Wright's crushing block on the Greg Childs touchdown vs. Florida.

Offensive Line: C

The "big uglies" upfront as Keith Jackson of ABC fame used to call them, have performed adequately. Not spectacular, not terrible. This unit has greatly reduced last year's embarrassing sack total in spite of more pass attempts.

Is this group "gettin' bettuh" as Frank Broyles might say? You bet. I look for the average grade to move up by the end of the season. Ray Dominguez has cut his penalties way down, and Seth Oxner has been solid as he tries to replace UA's best ever at his position. Mitch Petrus has played well at one guard, Wade Grayson has solidified the other and DeMarcus Love has made a successful transition from guard to tackle.

The run blocking needs continued improvement and I believe we will see it in the remainder of the 2009 season.

Running Back: B-

Again, injuries to Michael Smith have effected this mark. First the shoulder, then the hamstring injury have held back the Hogs' Little Big Man.

Dennis Johnson filled in brilliantly against the Gators just as he did in 2008 against LSU. Broderick Green has been better of late after struggling in the redzone early. Part of that was the line, which was still in flux earlier.

Ronnie Wingo and Knile Davis have shown flashes, particularly Wingo on the touchdown in the A&M game.

The future is bright here with or without a certain recruit who appears headed to Auburn.

Quarterback: B+

This could easily be an "A" if not for the Alabama fiasco. Ryan Mallett is still a work in progress as his footwork still causes inaccuracy at times. Mallett has reportedly worked hard on touch passes and it shows.

You've got to love that big right arm. I love Mallett's game other than his lack of great mobility. I like that he doesn't take anything from anyone on the field. Every game, Mallett makes a throw or two that no one else that I've seen in college football can make.

I just wish he had hit Van Stumon in the endzone in Gainesville. Oh well. No QB completes 100%, but Mallett doggedly keeps throwing mud at the wall until some sticks. He will own every record in the UA passing annals before he's done.

Special Teams: C+

The reason this grade is as high as it is is simple. The Hogs have had only one kick blocked, that one after the 'Bama game was pretty much decided.

Dennis Johnson's kickoff returns have been excellent, the 70 yarder against Auburn choked off the attempted Tiger comeback.

The Hog kickoffs have been decent since Cameron Bryan took over kickoff duties. Actually Bryan has been a little better than average with his placement and has shanked none out of bounds since early in the season.

Punt returns have been dismal, but there has only been one muff which Tenarius Wright and Jerry Franklin took care of a couple of plays later with the defensive TD vs. A&M.

Punter Dylan Breeding, an Alabama native, is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. "Ya nevuh kno' what yer gonna git"

The lack of a punt return game and missed field goals keep the grade from being better. Alex Tejada is 9-11 on the season on three-pointers, but most only remember the two misses in Gainesville, which came at critical times in the game. I'll just leave it at that.

Defensive Line: B

This grade would have been much lower if given right after the games against Georgia and Alabama. Since then, this unit would get an "A". The last three games, this unit has dominated consistently. Malcolm Sheppard and D.D. Jones made Florida's offensive line look soft. Zach Stadther and Patrick Jones have been solid.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?